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All Chittenden County Residents are Healthy **Data for the ECOS health indicators are not yet available due to Health Department Staff being focused on COVID-19**

Percent of adults with asthma

Current Value

9%

2020

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

This indicator measures the percentage of adults in the Chittenden County with asthma. Asthma is a persistent, life-changing condition that can be controlled but not cured. 

Why Is This Important?

Living in a community where clean air, safe streets, healthy foods, and recreation opportunities are available to all residents may impact the rates of chronic disease. Asthma is a chronic disease of the medium and small airways in the lung. These airways are hypersensitive to certain “triggers” in the environment. Housing is a social determinant of health, meaning that the quality of the housing in which one lives impacts a wide range of health and quality of life outcomes. The Institute of Medicine reviewed medical literature for causes and triggers of asthma. It found that second-hand tobacco smoke, mold, pest infestation, dust mites, cold air, dry heat, chronic dampness and poor ventilation can all trigger asthma. Exposure to chronic dampness is a health hazard that puts an individual at significant risk for asthma. With 140 inches of annual precipitation, Vermonters are at high risk for living in a home that is damp and potentially contaminated with mold. Sufficient national epidemiologic evidence is available to show that the occupants of damp or moldy buildings, both houses and public buildings, are at increased risk of respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, and exacerbation of asthma.

The Vermont Department of Health Healthy Homes Three-year Draft Strategic Plan sets forth goals to reduce the burden of disease associated with poor housing conditions through partnerships, education, implementation of comprehensive policies, and coordinated programmatic activities

Note on Methodology

Due to BRFSS weighting methodology changes beginning in 2011, comparisons between data collected in 2011 and later and that from 2010 and earlier should be made with caution. Differences between data from 2011 forward and earlier years may be due to methodological changes, rather than changes in opinion or behavior.

Citation

Vermont Department of Health, Burlington District Office, Asthma Program

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